A Father's LegacyA Stage Play by TerryBreaking the news that your child maybe mentally ill is never easy, but sometimes the hardest things are the most necessaryCharacters James father and husband. High School Teacher. Neurotic and living with bipolar disorder Stacy Wife. High School counselor. Logical and calm, Knows the symptoms of a mania and sees some of the symptoms in their daughter Brittany Brittany 12 year old girl. Psychologist and Pediatrician are certain she has bipolar disorder. Waiter - Delivers food Act I Scene 1 (James and Stacy inside the Psychiatrist's office. Brittany sits quietly outside the office. Office is two chairs and a desk. A curtain separates the inside of the office and the outside where Brittany is sitting. Stacy James, we are going to have to tell her sometimes. The psychiatrist said that she needs to know what she is dealing with so we can help her better. (James gets out his seat and start pacing the room.) James You know the doctors don't know for sure that it is bipolar. She is only 12 years old. Kids go through this all the time. That doesn't mean she is bipolar. Stacy James, you admitted you experienced the symptoms when you were her age. It is better to treat it now then have to deal with it years from now when she could have possibly hurt herself. (James turns away from Stacy and looks towards the audience.) James You can't 100% sure that it is Bipolar? If we tell her now she will think she is crazy (Stacy interrupts and walks up and places her hand on his back) Stacy No she will not. It is not like she is going to be on medication for it. You found out when you were 26 years old. Now look at you. You haven't a severe manic episode in 5 years. You remember when you would go days without getting any sleep and when you did get sleep it was only for three hours. Now our baby is going through that. She goes days without sleep and draw for hours on end and when she is depressed, she cries and completely shuts down. (Pause) James you don't want that for your daughter do you? You don't want her to go another 20 plus years without getting any help. (James shakes his head and faces Stacy) James It's just not right. Stacy I know, but she needs to know so she can deal with it. James Well, what's a better time than now to tell her? Brittany, could you come in here? (James opens the door and Brittany enters) Sit down, your momma and I want to talk to you. Brittany I heard you and momma talking. Do I have bipolar disease? (James and Stacy looks at each other) James It bipolar disorder not disease and yes sweetie the doctor say you may have it. Brittany I'm not crazy (Moment of silence) James No baby you're not crazy. Brittany Everyone will think I'm crazy, I'm not crazy (James and Stacy at the same time) James No Stacy No (Moment of silences James and Stacy look at each other) Brittany No, I don't want it; I don't want to be crazy (Stacy walks to Brittany and embraces her) Stacy No, Baby you're not crazy, we are going to get through this together (James sits in the chair and looks down. Stacy glances at James and redirects her attention to Brittany) It is ok, momma got you (Stage goes black) Scene 2 (James and Stacy, in Stacy's office desk 2 chairs) Stacy Last night was rough (James stares into space frowning) James is you ok? (James shakes his head) James You know she is right Stacy She is 12 years old, she will learn to deal with it. (James slams his hands against the wall) James No, No Stacy you just don't get it Stacy Get what, our daughter is sick and I want her to get better? James She will never be better Stacy; she has a life to look forwards to taking this freaking Zoloft, Seroquel, Lithium and any other pill they create. You know how many drugs, I had to take before I got the right combination (Stacy interrupts) Stacy Didn't anyone say anything about drugs? The doctors says we can deal without medications James Are you hearing yourself? Do you know what I've done without medication? Stacy What James? What did you do? James As a child, I used to roam around by myself for hours Stacy So? James Let me finish (Pauses and looks into the audience) In school, I used to be in my own world. I could never concentrate because my thoughts were always racing, mood swings, and every got damn thing our daughter is going through right now Stacy We can deal with that (James looks at Stacy and grabs her hands) James Oh, I haven't even got into my teenage years (Stacy turns her head and closes her eyes) Stacy I don't need to hear this James Like hell, you need to hear this because our daughter, (James pauses) Our daughter will be going through this. As a teenager I used to walk aimlessly at all hours of the night (Stacy looks at James) Stacy James James No let me finish. I didn't know what the hell was going on most of the time and now I'm taking three different medication, I've been hospitalized three times Stacy, Three times. I still forget to sleep, damn. James pauses and turns his back) I only got my first good night of sleep when I was 28 years old. Do you know how tired I was? Stacy Yes, I remember James Now our baby is going through this. Stacy, I want to die knowing what my baby is going through. I can't live (Stacy places her arm around James back) Stacy James, Brittany needs you to live. She need you to help her through all the trouble she is about to face. She needs your experience. Your baby needs you. (James turns around and gives Stacy a hugs. Stages turns dark) End of Scene II Scene III James and Brittany is sitting at table in restaurant both facing each other. Plates, cups are on each side. Waitress standing at table Waitress May I get you anything else? James No things (Waitress exits and James looks at Brittany) How was school today Brittany Ok, I guess (Brittany Pauses) Daddy, I'm sorry. I just don't want people to think I'm crazy James Do you think I'm crazy? Brittany No, But I see how people look at you when you tell them. (James Laughs) What's so funny? James Well baby, I didn't like people responses either at first but after a while I did it for entertainment. Brittany You want people to think you're crazy? James Oh God Yeah. (Brittany laughs) Brittany Why? (James smile) James It is always good for people to think you are a little crazy. It keeps them honest. You'll learn when you get older. Brittany So you like having bipolar? James No but, in life you get dealt your hand and not all the card are going to be good. You win by how you play your cards. (James smiles) You and I have the best kind of cards. Brittany What cards are those? James Crazy cards. (James and Brittany laughs. Stage goes dark) End of Scene III Scene IV (Stage empty James walks out and talks towards the audience) James You know sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like if my Manic-depression was caught as early as Brittany's. Who knows where I would be right now. Maybe I would have been a successful doctor and lawyer instead of a teacher. (Stacy enters the scene and wraps her arms around her James) Stacy What are you talking about? You are the teacher that kids love to look up to. You are a great husband. (Brittany enters the scene and embraces James) Brittany You are a great father and good man. (James smiles) James I guess I made out like a bandit. (Brittany and Stacy remains stills and James address the audience) I am the luckiest man on earth. I have my soul mate and my legacy in my arms, (The stage goes dark) The end © 2009 Terry |
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Added on August 15, 2009 AuthorTerryMinneapolis, MNAboutI'm an aspiring writer. I'm living in Minneapolis right now but i'm originally from Jacksonville, Florida. more..Writing
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